The Plateau Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Musa Ashoms, announced that the 24-hour curfew imposed on the Jos-Bukuru metropolis will be relaxed or lifted once the security situation improves.
The Plateau Government imposed the curfew on Sunday night after reports that hoodlums were planning to hijack a peaceful hunger protest.
Speaking to newsmen in Jos on Tuesday, Ashoms stated that the government would review the situation before deciding to relax or lift the curfew. He acknowledged the negative impact on law-abiding citizens but emphasized that the move was necessary to prevent a repeat of the EndSARS protest.
According to Ashoms, the State Government, led by Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, is committed to protecting lives and property. “We’ve had a peaceful protest as far as Plateau is concerned, and people have been using Plateau as a positive example,” he said.
He continued, “Lo and behold, on Sunday, we saw miscreants and hoodlums around the Bauchi Road to Zololo Junction area, attacking people’s businesses. If we allow the situation to escalate, what will happen next?”
Ashoms highlighted videos showing individuals being coerced into protesting. “In the videos, you could hear them forcing people to come out to protest. This is something that you do willingly. Nobody should capture or coerce anybody into doing it. But we saw where they were wielding dangerous arms and ammunition,” he said.
He stressed that the government acted proactively to prevent potential destruction of property and loss of lives. “As a responsible and proactive government, we decided to impose a 24-hour curfew on Jos-Bukuru so that we can monitor the situation. Once there is a level of improvement, we will relax or lift the curfew,” Ashoms stated.
Before the curfew, the government had engaged the youths, urging them to shun the protest.
